Propel People Raises $3 Million to Speed Up Skilled Trades Hiring

Propel People, a mobile-first hiring platform aimed at helping contractors find skilled tradesworkers more efficiently, has raised $3 million in seed funding led by AI-focused venture studio 1848 Ventures. The startup, created to help tackle the construction industry’s persistent labor shortage, also announced the appointment of Dexter Bachelder as its new CEO.

The construction sector is grappling with a shortage of skilled workers nationally, a gap that reportedly contributes to more than $20 billion in annual losses due to unmet labor demand. Propel People targets this issue through AI-driven tools that enhance the hiring process. 

Its platform features capabilities such as instant candidate ranking via a proprietary "ProScore" engine, two-way text messaging to boost employer-applicant engagement, and native Spanish language support to accommodate a more diverse workforce.

"Labor shortages are the number one threat to growth, profitability, and safety in the construction industry," said Kal Amin, Managing Partner at 1848 Ventures. "Propel People was built to address this exact problem. By combining AI-native infrastructure with a field-first user experience, Propel is redefining what hiring can look like for the trades."

The company is part of 1848 Ventures’ portfolio of AI-native SaaS solutions built for small and medium-sized businesses. The Ohio-based venture studio, backed by Westfield Insurance, focuses on creating software tools adapted to real-world SMB challenges, particularly within sectors like construction that have traditionally been underserved by technology, according to their website.

Bachelder brings more than 25 years of experience in construction technology and SaaS leadership to the role. His background includes senior roles at Aconex (which went public and was subsequently acquired by Oracle), Command Alkon (acquired by private equity firm Thoma Bravo), as well as AI-focused ventures Togal.AI and Slate.AI. Bachelder emphasized the mobile-first nature of Propel People’s platform, noting that traditional hiring tools often fail to meet the demands of contractors working predominantly in the field rather than office settings.

“Most hiring tools weren't built for how construction actually works—on the move, in the field, and under pressure.” Bachelder said. “We're using AI and a mobile-first platform to help contractors build crews faster, smarter, and more efficiently”

The newly raised funds will go toward accelerating product development, growing engineering and sales teams, and supporting new market expansion across the country.

The construction industry has struggled for years with labor shortages caused by an aging workforce, fewer new entrants, and increasing project demands. While general employment platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn offer broad hiring services, Propel People aims to provide specialized tools tailored to the unique hiring dynamics of trades work.

As the need for skilled construction labor continues to rise with infrastructure investments and development projects, solutions like this aim to play a key role in addressing workforce gaps using technology.